Latest Situation of Giant Panda Yaya Two Years After Returning to China: Physical Transformation with Weight Reaching 95kg, Enjoying Old Age in Hometown at 26

Recently, Beijing Zoo released the latest video of giant panda Yaya, bringing this former U.S.-resident giant panda, which touched the hearts of countless Chinese people two years ago, back into public view. In the video, Yaya’s condition is completely different from that in the United States. Her visible transformation confirms the warm power of care in her hometown and shows the healthy demeanor of a super-aged panda.

I. Bright Current Situation: From Emaciated to Plump, Transformation Supported by Data

Once emaciated and with dry fur in Memphis Zoo in the United States, even suffering from hair loss and stereotypic behaviors, Yaya has now transformed into a plump panda with shiny black fur, known as the “Princess of Xizhimen”, and has become a “happy ball” in Beijing Zoo.

Data best reflects her changes:Yaya’s weight was only 75 kilograms when she returned to China, with a thin figure, listless spirit, and a physical condition score of only 2/5; after more than two years of scientific feeding and careful care, her weight has steadily increased to95 kilograms, completely getting rid of the embarrassing “skinny” image, and her physical condition score has jumped to 4/5. Professional veterinary evaluation shows that Yaya’s weight is stable in the ideal range for elderly pandas, all physical functions are good, her fur is smooth and shiny, and the skin diseases in the past have been completely cured.

It can be seen from the latest video of Beijing Zoo that Yaya is not only plump, but also plays in the snow and eats bamboo shoots at ease, with agile movements, showing no sign of her past embarrassment. This transformation is the best testimony to love and care.

II. Sojourn and Return: 20 Years of Foreign Life, Finally Reunited with Hometown

Yaya’s life has a long sojourn experience of 20 years. She was born on August 3, 2000. In April 2003, Yaya, who was less than 3 years old, set off from Beijing with another male giant panda Lele, arrived at Memphis Zoo in Tennessee, USA after a long flight, and started her long sojourn life, which lasted for 20 years.

On January 20, 2021, a netizen’s revelation attracted widespread attention across the country — Memphis Zoo was suspected of failing to take good care of Yaya and Lele, leading to Yaya being emaciated. She not only had severe stereotypic behaviors, but also suffered from seasonal skin diseases and hair loss. Her physical condition was far worse than that of other giant pandas in the same period. Netizens called for Yaya to return to China as soon as possible.

After two years of efforts from all parties,in April 2023, Yaya finally embarked on her journey back to China, accompanied by the remains of the deceased Lele. After returning to China, Yaya first completed a one-month quarantine in Shanghai, and then was officially settled in Beijing Zoo. More fortunately, she also became neighbors with the famous “escape artist” giant panda Meng Lan, accompanying each other daily and living a fun-filled life.

III. Super-Aged Star: 26 Years Old Equivalent to Over 80 Years Old in Human Age, Guaranteed to Enjoy Old Age

Today, Yaya has reached the advanced age of 26. According to the conversion standard that 1 year old of a giant panda is equivalent to 4 years old of a human, she is equivalent to an 80-85-year-old human, making her a veritable super-aged and long-lived elderly giant panda, which is very rare in the panda group.

To allow Yaya to enjoy her old age, Beijing Zoo has customized an exclusive care plan for her: carefully selecting fresh bamboo, bamboo shoots and other staple foods, matching with sugarcane, grapes and other supplementary foods, and splitting tough bamboo in advance to ensure convenient eating; placing cooling ice cubes and turning on constant temperature air conditioning in summer, laying warm blankets to keep warm in winter, taking careful account of her elderly living needs; at the same time, arranging professional veterinarians and breeders to be on duty 24 hours a day, conducting regular health monitoring, and adjusting the care plan in a timely manner.

From being helpless in a foreign land to being carefully cared for in her hometown, Yaya’s transformation is not only the rebirth of a giant panda, but also carries the Chinese people’s cherishment and concern for national treasures. Today, she enjoys her old age in a familiar environment. May this “old baby” who has gone through ups and downs continue to be safe and happy, and spend every warm moment.

Yaya during her stay in the United States

Yaya when she just returned to China

Today’s Yaya